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I. Course Description-
This course and Government 2302 comprise an introduction to the study of politics and government in the
United States. This course examines the evolution and current state of political behavior and public policy making in the
U.S. and Texas. Topics discussed will include the constitutions, rights and liberties, federalism, intergovernmental relations,
voting, elections, political parties, public opinion, and interest groups. (3 credit hours--a core curriculum course)
III. Prerequisites: None, but a reading knowledge of basic political philosophy is helpful. This course is
reading intensive, with in-class written examinations of student prowess. Therefore, students must have
competency in written and spoken English.
V. Other assigned materiel – This is a reading intensive class. Thus, I will provide additional
reading to supplement the learning process. These materiél and any discussion are always
testable.
You can learn a great deal about both the U.S. government and Texas government merely by digesting the
news. I *highly* recommend reading the NY Times, Washington Post, Guardian (UK), L.A. Times, Wall Street
Journal, or even the Dallas Morning News. All of these have free online editions. Every exam will have a
couple of extra credit questions that will test your knowledge of current events (i.e. have you been keeping up
on the news).
VI. Office Hours - Per the above: before and after class, and by appointment (No Friday Appointments).
VII. Attendance -
A. UTD requires "Regular and Punctual attendance". It has been my experience that poor
attendance DOES result in a lackluster performance. Nonetheless, you are adults, so I feel no need
to take attendance- Come only if you intend to learn.
B. Verification of Enrollment: The State of Texas requires that all persons residing in the state
carry an identification card, and:
1) have on their person this card, and
2) be ready to surrender it for examination to any duly constituted authority.
For our purposes, this means I may ask for your I.D. when you turn in an examination. Not having
one on you means I will not grade that work until I see an ID. This is not meant to belittle or insult
you, but with as many students as there are just in my sections, getting to know all by sight is very
difficult- but I'll try.
C. Tardies: Class is scheduled to begin at 0900, thus, I will begin class at that time. There is not
much leeway allowed due to the amount of material being covered. You are adults, you signed up for
this class at this time. I will not repeat material for the benefit of those without the incentive to
arrive promptly. If you know you will be late, please do your classmates the courtesy of not entering
the room. Tardiness will be penalised.
D. Leaving Early: Due to the amount of material being covered, leaving before class is complete
will hurt your interactive note-taking. Moreover, doing so is an unnecessary breach of etiquette and
a distraction to your colleagues. If you must leave early, inform me before class, or else your leaving
will be treated as if a tardy and your grade will be penalised.
2) If you stop attending class and do not fill out the drop form, you will receive an "F" in the
course.
B. Exams will occur on regular class days. If you are involved in an official campus activity, I expect
you to take the exam early. All assigned book chapters, as well as any and all material discussed or
assigned in class, are all sources eligible for all examinations.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and
established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of
Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student
Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and
regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members will assist
students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972-883-6391).
More specifically: We are all adults, at least legally. Adult behaviour is thus expected. Disrespectful
language, gestures, shouting, insults, et cetera, is improper and will be handled through the Dean of
Students office, and most likely will result in a grade of F.
A. Turn off your cell-phones- if they ring I will answer for you- and turn off your pagers as well. I
reserve the right to have you removed from the classroom if this turns out to be a persistent
problem and your grade will be penalised.
In other words: I fully expect you to behave as if you are mature, reasonable, sane people.
X. Participation - The views of the instructor are not dogma, and are open to question and discussion.
Please feel free to disagree, but be prepared to logically and empirically back up your argument!
• Please remember the basic courtesies when disagreeing with others in the room- Speak
clearly, concisely, and do not engage in shouting matches. At the same time, if you merely sit there
and absorb without examining the issues critically, you are missing out. The college campus is truly
one of the last places in this country to voice your ideas in a public forum, and these issues DO
affect you for the rest of your lives.
• Your participation is expected, and will be a consideration on your final grade.
XI. WebCT - WebCT is used sparingly in this class, mainly to check your progress in the class. If you do
not have a computer at home or prefer to work on campus, you may do this at the library or in the many
computer labs on campus.
If you are unfamiliar with webct, go to the following website for directions:
http://www.utdallas.edu/distancelearning/students/webct_login.htm
WebCT is a technology based learning aid. Because of this, occasional, brief outages are possible.
XII. Grading – You will be graded on the standard 100-point scale, conformed to Letter grades. I DO NOT
CURVE GRADES- it only rewards the weak and punishes the smart.
Grading Scale:
100-98=A+ 87-89=B+ 77-79=C+ 67-69=D+
• You will be assigned grades based upon your performance on the examinations. Extra Credit
opportunities will not be granted to any student who has not completed all exams, and any extra
credit will not account for more than five percent of your total grade. Detail on Extra Credit will
become available later on my web-site.
XIII. ADA Statement
The University of Texas at Dallas is dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning
environment for all students. The college district promotes equity in academic access through the
implementation of reasonable accommodations as required by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of
1973, Title V, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which will enable
students with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all post-secondary educational activities.
If you have any special needs which affect your ability to learn in this class, please inform me.
Appropriate steps will be taken to assist you with your needs. Any student with a documented
disability (physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable
accommodations must contact the Office of Disability Services, Ms. Kerry Tate, Coordinator, in the
Student Union, Room 1.804. Faculty members are authorized to provide only the accommodations
requested by the Office of Disability Services. (http://www.utdallas.edu/legal/title9/contactada.html)
UTD is committed to a high standard of academic integrity in the academic community. In becoming a part
of the academic community, UTD students are responsible for honesty and independent effort. Failure to
uphold these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following: plagiarising written work or projects,
cheating on exams or assignments, collusion on an exam or project, and misrepresentation of credentials or
prerequisites when registering for a course.
• Cheating includes looking at or copying from another student's exam, orally communicating
or receiving answers during an exam, having another person take an exam or complete a project or
assignment, using unauthorized notes, texts, or other materials for an exam, and obtaining or
distributing an unauthorized copy of an exam or any part of an exam.
• Plagiarism means passing off as his/her own the ideas or writings of another (that is,
without giving proper credit by documenting sources). Plagiarism includes submitting a paper,
report or project that someone else has prepared, in whole or in part.
With instructor permission only, tape recorders and laptops may be used during lectures only for the
purpose of helping students take notes. The use of such devices for any other purpose may result in loss of
device use for remainder of semester, system charges of academic dishonesty, and administrative drop from
the course. No other electronic devices will be allowed during class without specific instructor approval.
In case of personal emergencies, check with the instructor before class. I will keep your device at the front
of the room, and you may take it outside should the emergency arise.
When there is any scholastic dishonesty, I will assign an “F” for the course, and
additional sanctions may include being expelled from UTD and the UT System, and
punishments appropriate under State of Texas Criminal Code, Penal Section §32.49,
(HB 0762).
XV. The University of Texas at Dallas School of Economics, Policy, and Political Sciences strives
to achieve the following:
A. Core Requirements
• READING at the college level, meaning having the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed
materials--books, articles, and documents.
• WRITING at the college level, meaning having the ability to produce clear, correct, and coherent
prose, adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. This includes not only grammar, spelling, and punctuation,
but also the writing process itself.
• SPEAKING effectively, meaning oral communication in clear, coherent, and persuasive language
appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience.
• LISTENING at the college level, meaning the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken
communication.
• CRITICAL THINKING , embracing methods for applying both qualitative and quantitative skills
analytically and creatively to the subject matter in order to evaluate arguments, solve problems, and construct
alternative strategies.
• COMPUTER LITERACY, meaning having the ability to use computer-based technology in
communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information. Students should also be able to evaluate the
limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of present and future technologies.
Week One (May 29th through June 6) (this is your heaviest reading week)
Basics of Political Philosophy-
Online Readings (go to web-site: http://www.geocities.com/caesaigh3/readings2301.html),
Hellenes, Medievalists, Renaissance, and Direct Influences [Aristotle to Adams]
Nathanson (all), Part One of Janda (pp 1-50)
PLEASE NOTE:
I reserve the right to amend or append this syllabus as need dictates. Any and all
changes will be announced in sufficient time to allow for your personal adjustment.
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Name: (Print)_____________________________________________________
Student I.D.______________________________________________________
By my signature affixed, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and will comply
with all terms and conditions of the above syllabus:
______________________________________________________, _____________________
(Name) (Date)